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349 PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8. Congress of the United States. House of Representatives, JVedncfdo)’, Dec. 7, 1796. ... The house being aflcmbled, a meflage was fcnt to the Senate to inform them that they were ready, agreeably to ap pointment, to receive any communica tion which the Prefkknt of the United States might think proper te make to th*m. The Senate accordingly attend led, and prccifelyat twelve o’clock the President entered, and after having ta ken his feat,, delivered the following ad dress : FeUon.v-CiUZi'ni of the Senate. and if the House of Reprcfcntat'vves , IN recurring to the internal situation of our country, since I had lad theplea fure to address you, I find ample reason for a renewed expression of that grati tude to the ruler of the Universe, which a continued series of prosperity has so often and fojuftly called forth. The ads of the lad fdfion, which re quired special arrangements, have been, as far as circumfiances would admit, carried into operation. Measures calculated to ensure a coif- ■ tinuanceof the friendlhip of the Indians, and to preserve peace along the extent of our interior frontier, have been digest ed and adopted.—ln the framing of these, care has been taken to guard on the one hand our advanced settlements from the predatory incursions of those unruly in dividuals* who cannot be retrained by their tribes ; and on the other hand to ; protfcft the rights secured to the Indians by treaty —-to draw them nearer to the civilized State, and inspire them with correct conceptions of the power as well as iuftice of the government. The meeting of the Deputies from the Creek Nation at Coleraine,- in the state of Georgia, which had for a principal: object the purchase of a parcel of their land by that Hate, broke Up without its being accomplifhcd ; the Nation ha ving previous to their departure, in truded them agatnft making any sale ; the occasion, however, has been impro ved, to confirm by anew treaty with the Creeks, their pre-exifting engage ments with the United States ; and to obtain their consent to the eftablifiiment of Trading Houfcs, and Military Potts within their boundaries; by means of which,, their friendftiip find the general peace may be more effectually fccurdd. The period during the late 1 session at which the appropriation was palled,, for carrying into effeftthe treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and his Britannic Majcf ty, ucceiTarily procraft mated the recep tion of the Pods stipulated to be deliver ed, beyond the date aifigned for that e vent. As soon, however, as the Gov ernor General of Canada could be addres sed with propriety on the fubjeft, ar rangements were cordially and prompt-, ly concluded for their evacuation, and the United States took pofleifion of the principal of them, comprehending Of wego, Niagara, Detroit, Mickilimak-, inak and fort Miami, wher-e such re pairs and additions have been ordered to be made as appeared indispensable. The Commilfioners appointed on the part of the United States and of Great . Britain, to determine which is the Riv er St. Croix, mentioned in the Treaty of Peace of 1783, agreed in the choice of Egbert Benson, Esq. of New-York,’ for the third commissioner. The whole njet- at Stv Andrews** in Paflamaquoddy JBay, in the beginning of Oftober* and directed surveys to be made of the riv ers in dispute ; but deeming it imprac ticable to have these surveys completed before the next year, they adjourned, to: meet at Boston, in August, 1797, for : the final decision of the question. Other Commiflioners appointed on the part of the United. States, agreeably to the seventh article of the treaty with Great-Britain* relative to captures and condemnation of-vefl’els and-other prop-’ erty, met the commiflioners ofhis Bri tannic Majesty in London, in Anguft last, when John Trumbull Esq. was chol'en by lot, for the fifth commissioner. In Oftober following the board were to proceed to business. As yet, there has. been no communication or commilfioners on the part of Great-Britain, to unite with those who have been appointed on the part of the United States, forestry - ing into effect the sixth article of the treaty. The treaty with Spain required that the commilfioners lor running the boun dary line between the territory of the U nited States and his Catholic Majefty’-s Provinces of Eatt and Welt Florida, mould meet at the Natchez, before the expiration of fix months after the ex change of the ratifications, which was •neCted at Aranjuez on the 2Cth day Os April j and the troops of his Catholic Columbian slufeum, fifo. Majesty occupying any ports wifhm the’ limits of the United States, were with in the fame period to be withdrawn. The Commissioner of the United States* therefore, commenced bin journey sos the Natchez in September, and troops were ordered to occupy the ports from which the Spanilh garrison lliould be withdrawn.—lnformation has been re cently received of the appointment of a commissioner on the part of his Catho lic Majesty for running the boundary line; but none of any appointment for the adjustment of the claims of our citi zens whole velfels wete captured by the armed velfels of Spain. In pursuance of the aft of Congrels palledm the last session. for the protec tion and relief of Amelkin Seamen, A gents were appointed, one to reside in Great-Britain, and the other in the Weft -Indies. The effefts of the agen- < ~cy in the Weft-Indies are not yet furlly afeertained ; but those which have been communicated afford grounds- to believe the measure will be beneficial. The A gent destined to reside in Great-Britain declining to accept the appointment, the business has eonfequently devolved on* the Mrnifter of the United States In . London, and will command his atten tion,until anew agent fnafl be appointed. After many delays and disappoint ments, arising out of the .European war, the final arrangements for fulfilling, the < engagements made to the Dey and re gency of Algiers, will, in all present appearance* be crowned with fucccfs ; but under great, though inevitable dif ad vantages in the pecuniary tranlaftions : occasioned by that war ; which will render a further provision necessary. The aftual liberation of all our citizens who were prisoners in Algiers, while it gratifies every feeling heart, is itfeif an earned, of a fadsfaftory termination of the whole aegociation. Meafurcs are in operation for effecting treaties with the regencies of Tunis and Tripoli. To an aftive external commerce, the proteftion of a naval force is indispensa ble. This is manifeft with regard to wars in which a state is-itfeif a party. But besides this, it is in our own experi ence, that the moft sincere neutrality is not a fufficient guard against the. depre-. datior.s of nations at war. To-lecture ‘ refpeft to a neutral flag, Acquires a nsff val force, organized and ready to vin- ■ dicate it from insult or aggression. j This may even prevent the necessity of ‘ going to war, by difbouraging belliger ent powers from committing such vio lations of the rights of the neutral partyl as may, firft or last, leave- no other op tion. From the best information I have been able to obtain, it would lcem as if oyr trade to the Mediterranean . without a protecting force will always be infccure, ar*l our citizens expoled to the calamities from which numbers of than have but just been relieved. These confederations invite the Uni ted States to look to the means, and to set about the gradual creation ofa navy. ‘The inCrealing progress of their naviga tion promises them, at no distant peri-‘ od, the requisite supply of seamen ; and their means in other refpefts favour the undertaking. It is an encouragement likewise, that their particular situation will give weight and influence to a mo . derate naval force in their hands. Will it not then be advisable to begin'with out delay, to provide and lay up the ma terials for the building and equipping of ships of war ; and to proceed in the ; work by degrees, in proportion as our ; refoureds ihall render it prafticable with out inconveniences ; so that a future war : of Europe may not find our commerce in the fame unprotefted state,. in which it was found by the present ? Congress have repeatedly, and not without fucccfs* direfted. their atten tion to the encouragement ol manutac- ■ tures. Theobjeft is of tob much con sequence not to infiire a continuance of their efforts in every way which ffiall appear eligible. Asa general rule*man ufaftures on public account are irtexpe- ■ dient. But where the state of tilings in a country leaves little hope that certain branches of manufafture will,, for agreat length of time, obtain ; —when thefeare ofa nature efientiai- to the furnifiying* ’ and equipping of the public force in time . of war ; are not eftablilhments for pro curing them on public account, to the extent of the ordinary demandfbr the pub lic /twice recommended by strong Con*- ; fidcratiom of national policy, as an Ex ception to the general rule ? Ought our ; country to remain in such cases depen- ; dant on foreign supply, precarious, be cause liable to be interrupted ? If the ne ceflary articles should in this mode cost more in time of peace, will not the security and independence thence a- 1 rising, form an ample compcnfation ? Establishments of this fort, commcnfu ratr only with the <wlJs of the public service in time of peace, will, in time of war, easily be exfended in proportion to the exigences of the government ; and may even perhaps be made to yield a surplus for the supply of ofcr citizens at large ; so as to mitigate flic privations from the interruption of their trade. If adopted,- the plan ought to exclude all thole branches which are already, or likely soon to be established in the coun try ; in order that there may be no dan* ger of interference with pursuits of in dividual industry. It will not be doubted, that with re ference either to invidual or national welfare, Agriculture is of primary im portance. In proportion as Nations 1 advance in population; and other eifeum^ 1 fta.nces of maturity, this truth becomes ’ naoreapparent ;• and renders the cultiva tion of the foil, more and more an objeft > of public patronage. Xnftitutions fori • promoting it, grow up supported by the public purse ; and to 1 what objeft can it • be dedicated with- greater propriety ? j Among the means which have been em- \ ployed to- this end* none have been at- ; tended with greater success, than the , establishment ot Boards* composed oi proper charafters, charged with col left ; ing and dLffufing information* and ena ’ bled bf premiums and’ fnrall pecuniary aids* to encourage and aflift a ipirit ol; difeovery andimprovement. This fpe- i . cies of cftablilhment contributes doubly j to -the encreafe of improvement; by | stimulating to entemrizC and experi- ! ment; and by drawing to a common ■ centre, the* refult3 everywhere, of indivi dual skill and obfervation* and spread ing them, thence over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has Ihewn, that they are very cheap mftruments of im mense national benefits. .1 have heretofore propofod to the con fide rat ion of Congress, the expediency of eftablilhing a National Uftiverfity ; and also a Military Academy- , The de sirableness of both these institutions, has’ so conftandy increased with every new view I have taken of the fubjeft, that j I Cannot omit the opportunity of once for all, recalling your attention to them. 1 The aflcmbly, to which-I address my felf, is too enlightened not so be fully feiifible how much a fi'ouriffiing state of . the arts and sciences contributes to-na tional prosperity and reputation.. True it is, that our country* much ( so its, ho nor* contains-many leimnaries of learn ing highly rdpeftable and uleful ; but the funds upon which they rest, are too narrow to command the ablest profeffors in the diftcrent departments of liberal” knowledge, for the institution contem plated ; though they would be excellent auxiliaries. Amongst the motives to such an in stitution, the assimilation of the princi ples,, opinions and manners of our coun trymen, by the common education ofa portion of our youth, from every quar • ter, well*deferves attention. The more homogenous our citizens can be made in these particulars, the’ greater will be our profpecl of permanent union : and a primary objeft of such a-national in stitution, ffiould be, the education ofour youth in the science of a republic, what fpecic-s of knowledge can be equally important ? And what duty more pressing on its legiflatilre, than to patronize a plan for communi cating it to those, who are to be the fu ture guardians of the liberties of the country ?• The institution of ar military acade my, is also recommended by cogent rca fons. However pacific the general po licy of a nation may be, it ought never to be without an adequate stock of mi latary knowledge for emergencies. The firft would impair the energy of its cha racter, and both would hazard its fafety orexpofeit to greater evils when war could not be avoided. Besides, that war might often not depend upon its own choice. In proportion as the ob servance of pacific maxims might exempt a nation from the necessity ot praftifing . the rules of the military art,, ought to be its care in preferving.and tranlmit ting by propereftablifhnients, the know ledge Os that art. Whatever argpment may be drawn from particular examples, fupcrficially viewed ; a thorough exam ination of the fubjeft will evince, that the Art of War is at once comprehen sive and complicated ; that it demands much previous study : and that the pos session of it* in its moft improved and perfeft state, is always of great moment to the security of a nation. This, there fore,ought to be a serious care of every government ; and for this purpose, acadjemy, where a regular epurfo of in ftruftion is given, is an obvious expedi ent, which different nations have fuc cefsfully employed. The compcnfations to the officers of the United States, in various instances, and itt hone more than in refpeCV t® the. T o{ \ ,m P°ant lfattons, fqj legirtative revision. The co n f eub . ces ot a defective provision are off e 4 ri ou , import’to the government. If wealth is to supply thedefeft of public retribution* it will greatly contract the hcrC n Wl * hin which she feleftiofior character for office is to be made - anf t will proportionally diminish the p’rcbf biluy of a choice of men able a s well upright. Besides that it would her* pugnant to the vital principles ofo ‘ government, virtually to exclude from public trusts Wlents and virtue, unS accompanied by wealth. While in our external relations, fom. fenous inconveniences and embarrass! ments have been Overcome* and others leflened, it is with much pain* and deen regret 1 mention, that circumstances of a very unwelcome nature, have lataW occurred. Our trade has fuffered, aniV 1, fuffermg- ex ten five injuries i a ’ Weft- Ihdies, from the cruizers, and a gents of the French Republic; and com’ nuniMtions have heen received from ; tts imnifter here, which indicate the danger of a further diftm-bance of our commerce* by its authority • and which | arc > in °ther refpefts,*for from agreeable It \m l>een ; conftant* fijfcere and earnelt wirti*in conformity with thatc f our nation* to maintain cordial harmony* t aria’ a. pcrieClly friendly underftandi; . with that Republic. Tiffs,with remains unabateo ; —and I Ihall persevere in the , endeavour to fulfil it* to the utmost ex tent of what Ihall be cdnftftefit with ■juft, and indifpeniVble regard to'the rights and honour ofour country ; nor will I easily cease to clieriffi the expec tation, that a spirit of justice, candour and friendrtffp, on the part of the Repub lie, will eventually infiire success, ; In pursuing this course* however, I cannot forget what is due to the charac ter of our government and nation : or to a full and entire coirftdeiice'iu the good sense, patriotifm* felf-refpeft and forti ; tude of my countrymen.* I reserve for a ipocial message, a more particular communication on t : his inter citing fuhjeft.- Gentlemen of the House of Repref motives, I have direfted an eftirnate of the ap propriation necellary for the service of the ensuing year, to be submitted from the proper department, with a view of • the public receipts and expenditures to the latest period so whickaa-account ea be prepared. It is w'ith fatisfaction* I am able to inform you, t’hat the revenues of the U nited States continue in a state ofpro greffivc improvement.- A reinforcement of the existing pro r visions for- di&har.ging our public debt* was mentioned in,my address at the op ening of the last session. Soqie prelim inary steps were taken towards it, the maturing of which will, no doubt, en gage your zealous attention during th* present.—l will only add,.- that it will ; afford me a heart-felt fatisfaftion to con cur in such further measures, as will un certain to our country the pfoipeft ofa . speedy extinguilhment of the debt. Pos terity may have cause to regret, if from any motive, intervals of tranquility arc left unimproved for accelerating this valuable end. , . Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives, My solicitude to fee the militia of the United States placed on an efficient ef tabliftiment,. has been so often, and so ardently expressed, that I ftiall butbare ’ ly recal the fubjeft to your view on the present occasion ; at*the fame time that I Ihall fubmir to your enqbiry, whether our harbours are yet fufficiently secured, r l he situation in which I nowftand* for the last time, in the midli of the Re prefentativesof the People of the Unirei States, naturally recalls tile period whfca the administration of the present form of government commenced; and I can not omit the occasion to congratulate you, and my country* on the fucccfs of the experiment; ripr to repeat my set- 5 vent supplications to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and sovereign Arbiter of Nations, that his providential care ’ may still be extended to the United States; that the virtue and happiness of the people may be prefci ved ; and than the government, which they haveinfti tuted for the proteftion of their liberties* may be perpetual. GEO. WASHINGTON United. States, Dec. 7, 1796.- As soon as the President had finifiici his addrels, he presented a copy of:: tc the President of the Senate, and anothtF to the Speaker of the House of Repre sentatives. The President and Mcrr bers of the Senate retired and the Speak er resumed his chair. The add re n war then read, and, onmotiph, comnfft:ci a committee of the whole house t row. Ad j owned. - . No. 86..